Quick detachable coupler



Dec. 22, 1959 w. A. MEIGHAN 2,917,799

QUICK DETACHABLE COUPLER Filed Jan. 31, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet l P P .P

IN V EN TOR.

W I WiHiamHMei han T19. 2 8W? bee. 22, 1959 W. A. MEIGHAN QUICK DETACHABLE COUPLER Filed Jan. 31, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 hczn 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 31, 1955 v William HMcsJ' han INVENTIOR.

United States Patent C) QUICK DETACHABLE COUPLER William A. Meighau, Oswego, Oreg.

Application January 31, 1955, Serial No. 485,249

6 Claims. (Cl. 24-136) This invention relates to novel quick detachable fittings of exemplary use to join the individual bundles of logs in a log raft.

An object of my invention is to provide a structurally superior metal fitting selectively manipulative to grip or to release plural sections of wire rope, the gripping ac tion of the fitting being effected with a latch or lock type action which prevents inadvertent release of the wire rope. In addition, with this fitting, the latching manipulation is made with keepers which are independent of the gripping jaws so the stress or strain generated in heavy, massive sections of wire rope will not release the jaws.

In brief summary, my novel ocean going log raft is formed from a plurality of log bundles, each bundle being made up of plural individual logs secured together in abutting, parallel and side by side arrangement. By employing quick detachable fittings such as the choker hooks disclosed in either of my prior United States Patents 2,605,130 or 2,675,262, an individual bundle can be assembled with a minimum of effort either in the woods or at the booming ground. For example, where the logs are transported by truck, they are bundled on the truck as a load and thus are ready to assemble into a raft when they arrive at the booming ground.

In assembling a raft, the bundles are arranged side by side with as many as ten bundles forming a row. The rows then are lined up end to end as many as ten or twelve bundles deep in tandem fashion. These assembly operations are practiced either on the tide flat or in the water. A wire rope known as a swifter secures the bundles laterally in each row and a longitudinal tow line interconnects the bundles from the tail end to the head end to form a bundle raft in which each bundle is tied by wire rope to its neighbor. To secure the bundles in a given row, either separate lengths or a single continuous length of swifter is in turn wrapped about each bundle and secured with a quick detachable fitting. At right angles to the swifters, a longitudinal tow line is run fore and aft and is secured to each bundle adjacent the water line with other quick detachable fittings. Several tow lines may be used. In actuality, however, fewer tow lines are required than the number of bundles in a row since the swifters tie the bundles laterally.

One of the most important economic factors in the construction and use of any log raft is the cost. Labor costs are reflected in the manning of the log handling equipment and the time required to assemble and disassemble a raft and material costs are born of such items as the boom logs, fittings, wire rope, chains and the like used to tie the structure together. My log raft cuts these twin cost factors to a minimum heretofore unattained in the log towing industry. Thus, by employing quick detachable fittings which are located adjacent or above the water line of the raft for easy access, both assembly and disassembly can be effected in a minimum amount of time. Furthermore, by using no boom sticks or chains and by employing fittings which can be used over and over 2,917,799 Patented Dec. 22,1959

again, the cost per raft for materials substantially is reduced. ln sum total, this allows the small timber operator to compete with his larger rivals in the oceanhauling of logs.

it thus is a further object of my invention to provide a novel wire rope fitting which is inexpensive, strong and two members jointly carry rope gripping jaws selectively to grip or to release plural sections of wire rope as dictated by movable keeper members. A first one of these keepers" functions selectively to latch the two members against movement from the grip position or to release them, de-

fining a pivot axis. In similar manner, it is the function of a secondkeeper selectively to latch the members against movement from the grip position or to release the same for pivotal manipulation about the first keeper,

to the release position. These keepers are independent and both are elongate tapered members movable through mated apertures to effect the latch function with a wedge action.

gripping jaws, pivot the clamp upon the body, and drive the keepers home with hammer blows. Thereinafter, the fitting will retain the wire rope securely locked or latched in place until, at the point of final use of the logs, an op-- positely directed hammer blow on each keeper is effected to release the keepers and jaws thereby disassembling.

the raft.

The advantages of a fitting which isquickly detachable by virtue .of keepers manipulative between grip and re-, lease positions with a hammer-like blow immediately is Thus, the workmen assembling or disassemapparent. V bling a log raft utilizing these fittings is a highly paid employee. He may be standing upon a floating bundle of logs or in a small boat in deep water or may be, working on the tide flats between tides. Time is of the essence yet the bundle must be secure and. the footing of the logger or workman may be precarious. Additionally,

the weather often may be cold and the water rough furminimum of time under even the most trying of condi;

tions. The provision of a fitting having these novel advantages is one object of my invention. These and other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent during consideration of the fol: lowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a floating log raft with the bundles at rest, the figure being shortened since theq construction of the entire raft is merely repetitious of the portion illustrated;

Figs. 2-6 inclusive, are related views of a quick detachable fitting adapted to secure two parallel sections of wire rope intermediate the jaws thereof, the direction arrows; in

Fig. Zindicating a-pivotal release or opening movement of the fitting; and

Figs. 7-9 inclusive are related views of a similar quickly 1; detachable fitting for securing two sections. ofcrossed wire rope together, the pivotal opening movement being similar to that illustrated in Fig. 2.

In assembling the log raft a portionof which is shown in Fig. l, a plurality of parallel and cross type fittings are In this manner, a workman securing two sec-U tions of wire rope together with one of my novel fittings need only catch the sections of wire rope between the employed. The parallel fittings P are shown in detail in Figs. 2-6 and the cross fittings X are shown in detail in Figs. 7-9. Accordingly, I first will describe the construction and arrangement of the individual fittings P and X and then will discuss the construction of the log raft jtjintly with a discussion of an exemplary use for the fittings in such a raft.

Parallel fitting hi the parallel fitting of Figs. 2-6, an elongate body member 10 carries a pair of spaced parallel ears 11 and 12 extending out from one end thereof and a similar pair of spaced parallel ears 13 and 14 extending out from the opposite end thereof. Each of these ears is provided with a lateral aperture 15 and the pair of apertures opening through the ears 11 and 12 and the pair opening through the ears 13 and 14 are in lateral alignment. in siae, the apertures 15 vary (see Fig. 4) so as to mate with a tapered keeper as hereinafter will become apparent.

In cooperation with the body member 10, an elongate clamping member 16 is arranged inistacked relationship 'so' theends thereof substantially coincide with the ends of the bodymernber. A loop means is carried at each end of the clamping member, this term being generic to an eye 17 and a hook 18, either of which species may be utilized as desired. Since the clamping member 16 and body member 10 are substantially the same length, the open portion of the hook 18 is in lateral alignment with the apertures 15 in the ears 11 and 12, whereas the eye 17 is in lateral alignment with the apertures 15 in the ears 13 and 14. In this manner, provision is made to receive the elongate keepers previously mentioned and now to be described.

A first keeper member 19 is carried by the apertures 15 within and spans the distance between the ears 13 and 14. In so doing, this keeper passes through the eye 17. A second keeper 20 is carried by the apertures 15 within and spans the ears 11 and 12. This keeper passes over the open portion of the hook 18. Both keepers are tapered in thickness (see Fig. 4) and each carries a pin type guard 21 adjacent the small terminal end thereof. In addition, the keeper 19 is stepped, as at 22, so as to define a small cylindrical cross section the length of the small end-of the keeper. Enlarged head ends are formed on the keepers to receive'a hammer blow without damage and to provide a pry point should such be necessary.

In detail, it will be noted that the pin guard 21 on the keeper 20 projects radially a distance correlated to the clearance of the aperture 15 in the ear 11 (see Fig. 3). Thus, this keeper can be moved longitudinally from the position of Fig. 3 to a position in which the pin 21 rests intermediate the ear 12 and the hook 18. As the keeper 20 reaches this latter position, the pin 21 comes into contact with the ear 12 as the aperture therein is of insufiicient size to pass the pin. The clamping member 16 then is free to open since the hook 1-8 is unguarded insofar as the latch function of the keeper 20 is concerned. In a somewhat different manner, the pin 21 on the keeper 19 is proportioned and arranged so as to limit the longitudinal retraction movement of the keeper 19 to the position shown in Fig. 5. As therein illustrated, the stepped portion 22 spans the apertures 15 in the ears 13 and 14 and the eye 17 in the clamp to define a pivot axis or pintle pin for manipulation of the clamping member 16 to the open or release position. Conversely, Fig. 4 illustrates the closed or latched position wherein both keepers are wedged tight into the mated sloping apertures 15 and the sections of wire rope 24 are held in place. Movement of the keepers and the clamping member intermediate the grip and the release positions will be further explained with reference to the function of both the parallel fitting P and thecross fitting X. Sutfice to say at thls pomt, the body member 10 and the clamping member 16are provided intermediate their ends with mated rope 4 gripping jaws 23 between which the wire ropes 24 are clamped.

Cross fitting In Figs. 7-9 inclusive, the details of the cross fitting X are revealed. This fitting is similar to the parallel fitting except for the jaw and includes an elongate body member 26 and an elongate clamping member 27 of substantially the same length. These two members are mounted in stacked relationship with coinciding ends as best shown in Figs. 7 and 9. A pair of spaced parallel ears extend out from each end of the body member 26, these cars bearing the reference numerals 28-31 inclusive. The ears 23 and 29 are parallel one to another in lateral alignment and the ears 30 and 31 are parallel one to another at the opposite end in like alignment. The clamp ing member 27 carries a single ear 32 at one end and a single ear 33 at the opposite end. The ear 32 lies intermeditae the ears 28 and 29 whereas the ear 33 lies intermediate the ears 3!) and 31. In addition, both the body member 26 and the clamping member 27 carry the mated halves of a crossed gripping jaw structure '34. In contrast with the parallel gripping jaws 23 of Figs. 2-6, the cross gripping jaws 34 are arranged to carry two sections of heavy wire rope 24 and 25 which are arranged either normal or at an oblique angle one to the other.

Each of the ears 251453 inclusive is pierced by a sloping or tapered aperture or eye mated to a tapered keeper as now will be described. To this end, the ear 28 carries an aperture 35, the ear 29 an aperture 36 the ear 30' an aperture 37, the ear 31 an aperature 38, the ear 32 an eye 39, and the ear 33 an aperture 40. As is most apparent in Fig. 9, the apertures 35 and 36 are in alignment with and are mated to the size of the eye 39. In contrast therewith, the aperture 37 is in alignment with the aperture 38 and the eye 40 but the latter two elements are of a larger size and of a different configuration in order to pass a pin guard. In explanation, a first tapered keeper member 41 spans and is carried by the apertures 35 and 36 and the eye 39. This keeper is stepped, as at 42, so as to define a tapered construction leading to a long cylindrical cross section adjacent the end of the keeper. It is the function of the cylindrical cross section to define a pivot axis or pintle pin about which the clamping member 27 can swing with respect to the body member 26. For the ears 30, 31, and 33, a second tapered keeper member 43 is provided. This keeper is tapered throughout the length thereof in contrast with the stepped construction of the keeper 41. In addition, both keepers carry lateral pin guards 44 for a purpose now to be described.

Both keepers 41 and 43 are movable laterally of the body and clamping members in definition of a pivotal quick release mechanism whereby the fitting is made pivotally manipulative between grip and release positions. Thus, the keeper 41 is movable laterally until the pin guard 44 comes into abutment with the ear 28. In this position, the smaller cylindrical cross section on the end of the pin bridges and spans the apertures 35 and 36 and the eye 39 providing a pivot axis about which the clamp may swing. In the full line position of Fig. 9, on the other, hand, the tapered section of the keeper 41 spans and mates with these eyes to wedge the body and clamping members against movement relative to one another.

Turning now to the keeper 43, the pin guard 44 will pass the aperture 38 and the eye 40 allowing this keeper to be withdrawn or retracted until the pin itself lies in termediate the ears 30 and 33. This greater Withdrawal movement is accommodated by the size and/or configuration of the aperture 38 and the eye 40 whereby the pin will pass through these openings yet will be stopped by abutment against the ear 30. In fully retracted position, of course, the clamping member '27 is free of restraint by the keeper .43 and it then can be pivoted to the release position if, at the same time, the keeper 41 also defines a release position.

Both the cross fitting X of Figs. 7-9 and the parallel fitting P of Figs. 2-6 are constructed for heavy duty under conditions of great stress and strain selectively to grip or to release two sections of heavy wire rope. To this end, the clamping members and the body members are preferably of a cast metal construction providing suificient structural strength to resist the strong forces generated when the jaws grip wire ropes used in the assembly of a log raft. In the drawings, two species of so-called loop mechanism have been disclosed. Thus, the parallel fitting P has been illustrated with a hook 13 which defines the loop or catch on the end of the clamping member 16 whereas the cross fitting X has been illustrated with a closed eye 40 which defines the corresponding element for the clamping member 27. As will be apparent to those skilled in this art, these two elements are interchangeable, are identical in function and use, and therefore both are intended to be covered by the generic term loop means. Whether a hook or an eye is utilized in a particular construction will depend upon the preference of the manufacturer of the fitting and the logger employing the fittings in the field. An explanation of the use to which the fittings conventionally are put will make this point clear.

Bundle raft A bundle raft which employs no boom sticks is illus trated in Fig. l. conventionally, this raft is assembled in or adjacent a bay, inlet, or other salt water booming grounds. Initially, a plurality of individual logs L are gathered together to form a bundle B. In certain instances, the bundles may be assembled at the logging site or aboard a logging truck and in certain other instances the bundles may be assembled right at the booming ground. The individual logs L are arranged in an abutting, parallel and side by side arrangement and are secured either with encircling wire ropes 45 or with the swifters per se. In either event, the encircling wire ropes are cinched tight and held by a quick detachable fitting 46. This particular fitting 46 may be of the parallel type P or may be of any standard choker hook construction, exemplary chokers being disclosed in both of my previous United States Patents 2,605,130 and 2,675,- 262. It is the function of the fitting or choker hook 46 detachably but positively to hold the logs L together while the bundle B is in transit.

Having assembled a number of bundles B at the booming ground, the lateral rows of the raft first are made up. To this end, the wire rope 24 is a multiple or a single piece lateral swifter which interconnects the bundles in each row and is secured in place by means of the parallel fittings P of Figs. 2-6. Where a single long swifter is utilized, it first is wrapped centrally about a single bundle B and secured with a single parallel titting P. Thereinafter, the long free end of the swifter is wrapped centrally about the next adjacent bundle B and once more secured with a fitting P. In a large raft, a single row may contain as many as eight or ten bun: dles B and each is secured in this manner. Where plural short sections of swifter are used, the individual sections also are secured together with parallel fittings P.

It will be appreciated that While the logger or workman is assembling a row of logs, he either must work on a sloping cradle, on the tide flat or from a boat or While standing upon the floating bundles B. Optionally, the bundles may be assembled between the low and high tide marks with log handling equipment manipulating the individual bundles to allow the wire ropes 24 to be wrapped centrally about the bundles. In either event, a typical securing operation with a fitting P proceeds with both of the keepers 19 and 20 retracted so as to permit the clamping member 16 to swing open as shown by the direction arrows of Fig. 2. In the open position, the

, 6 clamp is fitted under the parallel sections of wire rope and the individual sections of the rope arranged to lie within the parallel jaws 23. The clamping member 16 then is pivoted to the grip or closed position and the keepers 19 and 20 are moved longitudinally through the corresponding apertures loosely to secure the fitting against displacement. As the ropes are drawn tight, a final grip is effected by applying a hammer blow to the large end of each keeper. This drives the pins firmly into place with a wedge-like action. In this connection, it will be noticed that the tapered construction of each keeper conforms to the sloping outline of each pair of mated apertures and loops so as to effect a latch movement which is tight and secure. With both keepers driven in place, the two sections of wire rope cannot move relative to one another. Thus, displacement or loss of the fitting will not take place even during adverse weather under severe conditions of stress and strain.

Having assembled a plurality of individual rows of the bundles B, longitudinal tow lines which. also are wire ropes 25 then are fitted in staggered fashion the length of the individual rows. The exact number of tow lines which will be utilized in each raft, of course, will depend upon the preference of the operator. However, I have determined that with eight bundles to a row, three tow lines are sutficient, each tow line actually being a double where the insurance carrier so requires. In Fig. l, a portion of such a raft with eight bundles to the row is shown. As therein illustrated, the tow line 25 has been staggered laterally where it is secured to the encircling swifters 24 closely adjacent the water line in order to develop a straight pull and in order to allow a workman to assemble the fittings about the crossed wire ropes with ease and speed. In many rafts, the bundles B of Fig. 1 actually are arranged so close to one another that they are in abutment. However, the exact spacing is a variant which depends upon several factors and I have shown my preferred embodiment.

During assembly of the cross fittings, the keepers 41 and 42 are retracted or withdrawn and the clamping member 27 is pivoted open in much the same manner as described and illustrated for the parallel fitting. Thereinafter, the gripping jaws 34 are fitted about the crossed wire ropes 24 and 25 and the clamping member 27 pivoted to a closed position catching the ropes between the jaws. The two keepers then are moved laterally through the eyes and apertures to effect a loose hold of the fitting in the closed or grip position. Finally, the ropes are given a final adjustment and a hammer blow is struck upon the large end of each keeper 41 and 43 firmly to latch or lock the fitting in the grip position. In effecting this terminal latch or lock movement, it will be noted that the tapered construction of each keeper conforms to eye carried by the ears 28-33 inclusive. ment again provides a tight, eficient and wedge action lock of the body and clamping members 26 and 27 sufficient to resist the strong forces which will be imposed when the raft encounters adverse weather in open water. In addition, it will be noted that the keepers are separate from the jaws so that any prying or pulling action developed by the ropes will not tend to release the keepers. One other reason for the positive latch, of course, is that the keepers are arranged at right angles to the direction of movement of the clamping member in swinging open.

In final arrangement, the log bundles B are spaced slightly or are in semiloose abutment both end to end in tandem in a longitudinal direction and side by side in rows in a lateral direction. Thereinafter, the tow lines 25 are secured centrally to a tow point which conventionally is a tug and the entire raft is moved from the booming ground to a mill. As an added safety precaution, it sometimes is preferable to secure these bundles which make up the tail end of the raft by wrapping the free end of the tow line around adjoining bundles and securing the same'with a fitting. In any event, the mill oftentimes is hundreds of miles distant from the booming ground and the raft thus may traverse considerable open water where wave and wind action will impose a great deal of strain. A typical raft may be eight or ten bundles wide, ten or twelve bundles deep in tandem, and made up with individual logs L which are twenty to forty feet in length. By employing the described parallel and crossed fittings, by arranging the swifters and tow lines as described, by utilizing wire rope of sufiicient strength, and by arranging the logs and bundles as de scribed, a raft is enabled to withstand weather conditions encountered in the open ocean without loss of a bundle or an individual log. In addition, the various fittings and wire ropes can be used over and over again since the massive heavy construction thereof resists corrosion, damage, and breakage.

At the mill site, the raft quickly and easily is disassembled. To this end, a typical disassembly includes first a release of the cross fittings X and then a release of the parallel fittings P. A hammer blow is struck on the small end of each keeper 41 and 43 to release the body and clamping members. Since the worker disassembling the raft may be balanced in a somewhat precarious position upon the floating bundles B or in a small boat, it is preferable that the release of each fitting be accomplished with speed. By employing the described construction, a fast release is possible since a hammer blow upon the keepers will move them longitudinally the full distance permitted by the guards or pins 44. After withdrawal of each keeper, of course, the clamping member 27 manually is pivoted open or, if there is a pry or liftting stress in the wire ropes, it will swing open automatically, releasing the wire ropes 24 and 25. After removal of the various cross clamps X, the parallel fittings P are released. To this end, a similar hammer blow upon the small end of each of the keepers 19 and 20 will release the clamping member 16 for pivotal movement open as shown in Fig. 2. Release of the individual logs L from each bundle B then will depend upon the type of fitting employed at 46. The details of this latter fitting, however, form no part of the instant invention and will not be described. In any event, the entire disassembly operation is much more simple and consurnes much less time than with ocean going rafts heretofore known.

In summary, I have provided a novel ocean going log raft which is made up of bundles secured with wire rope and novel quick detachable fittings. The simplicity and strength of this raft is as important as the minimal cost and practicality thereof in allowing the small timber operator to compete with his large rivals.

I claim:

1. A fitting, comprising an elongate body member having a pair of laterally aligned but spaced apertures piercing each end thereof, an elongate clamping member having laterally open loop means carried by each end thereof, one of said loop means lying intermediate each pair of said apertures in the closed position of the fitting, and a pair of longitudinally movable keeper means carried one by each of said pair of apertures and loop means, a first one of said keepers having a cylindrical tail section and a tapered head section respectively to define a pivot axis for manipulation of said members and to latch the members in said closed position, the second of said keepers having a tapered'body selectively to release said members for said manipulation or to latch the members in said closed position.

2. A quick detachable coupler for joining two sections of wire rope together, comprising a base, a cap therefor, said base and cap being stacked and having opposed faces defining plural mated grooves defining intaglio recesses for said sections of wire rope, said base having pairs of opposed eyes at both sides of each end thereof, said cap having a registering eye at one side thereof and a de- 8, tachable connector element at the other side thereof, a first keeper pin slidably mounted to one of two operable positions in the registering eye of said one side of said cap and of the companion side of said base, and a second keeper pin similarly slidably mounted in the base eyes at the other side and being engageable with the detachable connector element of said cap, said first keeper pin being longitudinally tapered and of elongated noncircular section for a portion of its length and of circular section for the remainder thereof, the registering eyes of said cap and base 'on said one side conforming in contour to that of the noncircular section of said first keeper pin.

3. A quick detachable coupler for joining two sections of wire rope together, comprising a base, a cap therefore, said base and cap being stacked and having opposed faces defining plural mated grooves defining intaglio recesses for said sections of wire rope, said base having pairs of opposed eyes at both sides of each end thereof, said cap having a registering eye at one side thereof and a detachable connector element at the other side thereof, a first keeper pin slidably mounted in the registering eye of said one side of said cap and of the companion side of said base, and a second keeper pin slidably mounted in the base eyes at the other side and being engageable with the detachable connector element of said cap, said first keeper pin being of elongated noncircular section for a portion of its length and of circular section for the remainder thereof, the registering eyes of said cap and base on said one side conforming in contour to that of the noncircular section of said first keeper pin, the diameter of the cir' cular portion of said first keeper lying within the peripheral outline of the noncircular portion thereof, whereby when said first keeper pin is slid lengthwise in its associated base and cap eyes so that the circular portion is encompassed by the registering eyes it will constitute a pintl-e pin and a lost motion device permitting the cap to swing pivotally upon said base and also to move laterally from said base.

4. A quick detachable coupler for joining two sections of wire rope together, comprising a base, a cap therefor, said base and cap being stacked and having opposed faces defining plural mated grooves defining intaglio recesses for said sections of wire rope, said base having pairs of opposed eyes at both sides of each end thereof, said cap having a registering eye at one side thereof and a detachable connector element at the other side thereof, a first keeper pin slidably mounted in the registering eye of said one side of said cap and of the companion side of said base, and a second keeper pin slidably mounted in the base eyes at the other side and being engageable with the detachable connector element of said cap, said first keeper pin being of elongated noncircular section for a portion of its length and of circular section for the remainder thereof, the registering eyes of said cap and base on said one side conforming in contour to that of the noncircular section of said first keeper pin, said keeper pins each having longitudinally tapered peripheral surfaces which incline obliquely in opposite directions with respect to each other.

5. A quick detachable coupler for joining two sections of wire rope together, comprising a base, a cap therefor, said base and cap being stacked and having opposed faces defining plural mated grooves defining intaglio recesses for said sections of wire rope, said base having pairs of opposed eyes at both sides of each end thereof, said cap having a registering eye at one side thereof and a detachable connector element at the other side thereof, first keeper pin slidably mounted in the registering eye of said one side of said cap and of the companion side base, a second keeper pin slidably mounted in the base eyes at the other side and being engageable with the detachable connector element of. said cap, said first keeper pin being ofelongated noncircular section for a portion of its length and of circular section for the remainder thereof, the registering eyes of said cap and base on said one side conforming in contour to that of the noncircular section of said first keeper pin, the diameter of the circular portion of said first keeper lying within the peripheral outline of the noncircular portion thereof, whereby when said first keeper pin is slid lengthwise in its associated base and cap eyes so that the circular portion is encompassed by the registering eyes it will constitute a pintle pin and a lost motion device permitting the cap to swing pivotally upon said base and also to move laterally from said base, and means associated with each of said keeper pins for positioning said keeper pins, respectively, with respect to the eyes in which they are suitably mounted.

6. A quick detachable coupler for joining two sections of wire rope together, comprising a base, a cap therefore, said base and cap being stacked and having opposed faces defining plural mated grooves defining intaglio recesses for said sections of wire rope, said base having pairs of opposed eyes at both sides of each end thereof, said cap having a registering eye at one side thereof and a detachable connector element at the other side thereof, a first keeper pin slidably mounted in the registering eye of said one side of said cap and of the companion side of said base, a second keeper pin slidably mounted in the base eyes at the other side and being engageable with the detachable connector element of said cap, said first keeper pin being of elongated noncircular section for a portion of its length and of circular section for the remainder thereof, the registering eyes of said cap and base on said one side conforming in contour to that of the noncircular section of said first keeper pin, the diameter of the circular portion of said first keeper lying within the peripheral outline of the noncircular portion thereof, whereby when said first keeper pin is slid lengthwise in its associated base and cap eyes so that the circular portion is encompassed by the registering eyes it will constitute a pintle pin and a lost motion device permitting the cap to swing pivotally upon said base and also to move laterally from said base, and stops upon each of said keeper pins for positioning said keeper pins, respectively, with respect to the eyes in which they are slidably mounted.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 141,579 Mehu Aug. 5, 1873 715,222 Werth Dec. 2, 1902 1,132,767 Evans Mar. 23, 1915 1,276,181 Davis Aug. 20, 1918 1,594,271 Rowland July 27, 1926 1,611,296 West Dec. 21, 1926 1,824,982 Chevalier Sept. 29, 1931 2,205,474 Goeller June 25, 1940 2,291,903 Kemper Aug. 4, 1942 2,310,440 Juslin et a1. Feb. 9, 1943 2,449,864 Symons Sept. 21, 1948 2,470,326 Tallman et a1 May 17, 1949 2,485,445 Hoffmann Oct. 18, 1949 2,602,690 Meighan July 8, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 519,521 Belgium May 15, 1953 

